We have learned to remain wary of news concerning Martin Scorsese projects. The great man has been promising to make that documentary on British cinema for close to a decade. The Sinatra biopic has also sat at the end of too many long fingers. But he will surely not let down his old pal Roger Ebert.

The stalwart Chicago critic – still hammering way, despite having undergone debilitating facial surgery – learnt last week that Scorsese intends to produce a documentary on his eventful life. Steve James will direct.

The film is to be based on Ebert's autobiography, Life Itself – a tome Reel News heartily endorses.